Clinical Edge Journal Scan

Key clinical point: Antibiotic resistance increased with longer hospital stays; vancomycin resistance increased among enterococci, and ceftriaxone and carbapenem resistance among Enterobacterales.

Major finding: A total of 183 community-associated coinfections were identified in COVID-19 patients who met criteria for infection (6%); hospital-acquired infections occurred in 350 patients (12%). Of the hospital-acquired infections, 57% were caused by gram-negative bacteria and 19% were caused by fungi.  

Study details: The data come from 3,028 adults with COVID-19 diagnosed between March 2, 2020, and May 31, 2020, who were hospitalized for at least 24 hours; 516 patients of 899 with positive cultures met criteria for infection.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Kubin CJ et al. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2021 May 5. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofab201.

Key clinical point: Antibiotic resistance increased with longer hospital stays; vancomycin resistance increased among enterococci, and ceftriaxone and carbapenem resistance among Enterobacterales.

Major finding: A total of 183 community-associated coinfections were identified in COVID-19 patients who met criteria for infection (6%); hospital-acquired infections occurred in 350 patients (12%). Of the hospital-acquired infections, 57% were caused by gram-negative bacteria and 19% were caused by fungi.  

Study details: The data come from 3,028 adults with COVID-19 diagnosed between March 2, 2020, and May 31, 2020, who were hospitalized for at least 24 hours; 516 patients of 899 with positive cultures met criteria for infection.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Kubin CJ et al. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2021 May 5. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofab201.

Key clinical point: Antibiotic resistance increased with longer hospital stays; vancomycin resistance increased among enterococci, and ceftriaxone and carbapenem resistance among Enterobacterales.

Major finding: A total of 183 community-associated coinfections were identified in COVID-19 patients who met criteria for infection (6%); hospital-acquired infections occurred in 350 patients (12%). Of the hospital-acquired infections, 57% were caused by gram-negative bacteria and 19% were caused by fungi.  

Study details: The data come from 3,028 adults with COVID-19 diagnosed between March 2, 2020, and May 31, 2020, who were hospitalized for at least 24 hours; 516 patients of 899 with positive cultures met criteria for infection.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Kubin CJ et al. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2021 May 5. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofab201.

Key clinical point: More than half of hospitalized COVID-19 patients developed at least one superinfection, including 75 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia and 57 systemic infections. Overall, bacterial infections, age, and the highest Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were independently associated with ICU mortality or 28-day mortality.

Major finding: The most common pathogens behind cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (34.7%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (18.7%). Bloodstream infections occurred in 16 cases, and fungal infections occurred in 41 cases.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 92 adults with COVID-19 who were admitted to a single ICU between February 21, 2020, and May 6, 2020.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Signorini L et al. Crit Care Explor. 2021 Jun 11. doi: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000000430.

Key clinical point: More than half of hospitalized COVID-19 patients developed at least one superinfection, including 75 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia and 57 systemic infections. Overall, bacterial infections, age, and the highest Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were independently associated with ICU mortality or 28-day mortality.

Major finding: The most common pathogens behind cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (34.7%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (18.7%). Bloodstream infections occurred in 16 cases, and fungal infections occurred in 41 cases.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 92 adults with COVID-19 who were admitted to a single ICU between February 21, 2020, and May 6, 2020.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Signorini L et al. Crit Care Explor. 2021 Jun 11. doi: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000000430.

Key clinical point: More than half of hospitalized COVID-19 patients developed at least one superinfection, including 75 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia and 57 systemic infections. Overall, bacterial infections, age, and the highest Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were independently associated with ICU mortality or 28-day mortality.

Major finding: The most common pathogens behind cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (34.7%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (18.7%). Bloodstream infections occurred in 16 cases, and fungal infections occurred in 41 cases.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 92 adults with COVID-19 who were admitted to a single ICU between February 21, 2020, and May 6, 2020.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Signorini L et al. Crit Care Explor. 2021 Jun 11. doi: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000000430.

Key clinical point: Candida albicans showed the strongest exoenzyme activity compared to non-albicans isolates in oral cavity samples from adults with diabetes.

Major finding:  Candida albicans isolates showed 97.3%, 100%, and 77.3% exoenzyme activity for phospholipase, hemolysin, and esterase, respectively. Differences in activity between albicans and non-albicans isolates were significant for phospholipase and hemolysin, but did not reach significance for esterase.

Study details: The data come from 108 Candida species including 75 Candida albicans and 33 non-albicans taken from diabetes patients’ oral cavity samples.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Deputy of Research and Technology of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The study was part of the MD thesis of coauthor Mehdi Ghaderian Jahromi. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Nouraei H et al. Biomed Res Int. 2021 May 26. doi: 10.1155/2021/9982744.

Key clinical point: Candida albicans showed the strongest exoenzyme activity compared to non-albicans isolates in oral cavity samples from adults with diabetes.

Major finding:  Candida albicans isolates showed 97.3%, 100%, and 77.3% exoenzyme activity for phospholipase, hemolysin, and esterase, respectively. Differences in activity between albicans and non-albicans isolates were significant for phospholipase and hemolysin, but did not reach significance for esterase.

Study details: The data come from 108 Candida species including 75 Candida albicans and 33 non-albicans taken from diabetes patients’ oral cavity samples.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Deputy of Research and Technology of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The study was part of the MD thesis of coauthor Mehdi Ghaderian Jahromi. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Nouraei H et al. Biomed Res Int. 2021 May 26. doi: 10.1155/2021/9982744.

Key clinical point: Candida albicans showed the strongest exoenzyme activity compared to non-albicans isolates in oral cavity samples from adults with diabetes.

Major finding:  Candida albicans isolates showed 97.3%, 100%, and 77.3% exoenzyme activity for phospholipase, hemolysin, and esterase, respectively. Differences in activity between albicans and non-albicans isolates were significant for phospholipase and hemolysin, but did not reach significance for esterase.

Study details: The data come from 108 Candida species including 75 Candida albicans and 33 non-albicans taken from diabetes patients’ oral cavity samples.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Deputy of Research and Technology of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The study was part of the MD thesis of coauthor Mehdi Ghaderian Jahromi. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Nouraei H et al. Biomed Res Int. 2021 May 26. doi: 10.1155/2021/9982744.

Key clinical point: Fungal or bacterial bloodstream infections were common in children within 5 years of liver or kidney transplants; the overall incidence in the first year post-transplant was 1.91 per 100 recipients per month.

Major finding:  A total of 29 of 85 children who underwent liver or kidney transplants developed bacterial or fungal bloodstream infections within 5 years of their transplants with 16 different pathogens; the most common were Enterococcus faecium, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Study details: The data come from a prospective study of 85 pediatric patients who underwent liver and kidney transplants between 2010 and 2017; the total follow-up was 390 person-years.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Novo Nordic Foundation, the Independent Research Fund (FSS), the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF), and the Research Foundation of Rigshospitalet; several coauthors also disclosed support from these organizations, as well as from Gilead and Merck.

Source: Møller DL et al. BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Jun 8. doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06224-2.

Key clinical point: Fungal or bacterial bloodstream infections were common in children within 5 years of liver or kidney transplants; the overall incidence in the first year post-transplant was 1.91 per 100 recipients per month.

Major finding:  A total of 29 of 85 children who underwent liver or kidney transplants developed bacterial or fungal bloodstream infections within 5 years of their transplants with 16 different pathogens; the most common were Enterococcus faecium, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Study details: The data come from a prospective study of 85 pediatric patients who underwent liver and kidney transplants between 2010 and 2017; the total follow-up was 390 person-years.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Novo Nordic Foundation, the Independent Research Fund (FSS), the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF), and the Research Foundation of Rigshospitalet; several coauthors also disclosed support from these organizations, as well as from Gilead and Merck.

Source: Møller DL et al. BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Jun 8. doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06224-2.

Key clinical point: Fungal or bacterial bloodstream infections were common in children within 5 years of liver or kidney transplants; the overall incidence in the first year post-transplant was 1.91 per 100 recipients per month.

Major finding:  A total of 29 of 85 children who underwent liver or kidney transplants developed bacterial or fungal bloodstream infections within 5 years of their transplants with 16 different pathogens; the most common were Enterococcus faecium, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Study details: The data come from a prospective study of 85 pediatric patients who underwent liver and kidney transplants between 2010 and 2017; the total follow-up was 390 person-years.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Novo Nordic Foundation, the Independent Research Fund (FSS), the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF), and the Research Foundation of Rigshospitalet; several coauthors also disclosed support from these organizations, as well as from Gilead and Merck.

Source: Møller DL et al. BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Jun 8. doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06224-2.

Key clinical point: Mucormycosis cases surged after the appearance of COVID-19, but adjunct surgery in COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis improved clinical outcomes.

Major finding:  The mortality rate among 99 COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis was 34%. However, 81% of the patients underwent adjunct surgery, which significantly improved outcomes (P < 0.001).

Study details: The data come from 30 case series and case reports totaling 99 patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM). Glucocorticoids, a known risk factor for CAM, were used in 85% of the patients, and the average time from COVID-19 diagnosis to CAM diagnosis was 15 days.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Pal R et al. Mycoses. 2021 Jun 16. doi: 10.1111/myc.13338.

Key clinical point: Mucormycosis cases surged after the appearance of COVID-19, but adjunct surgery in COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis improved clinical outcomes.

Major finding:  The mortality rate among 99 COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis was 34%. However, 81% of the patients underwent adjunct surgery, which significantly improved outcomes (P < 0.001).

Study details: The data come from 30 case series and case reports totaling 99 patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM). Glucocorticoids, a known risk factor for CAM, were used in 85% of the patients, and the average time from COVID-19 diagnosis to CAM diagnosis was 15 days.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Pal R et al. Mycoses. 2021 Jun 16. doi: 10.1111/myc.13338.

Key clinical point: Mucormycosis cases surged after the appearance of COVID-19, but adjunct surgery in COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis improved clinical outcomes.

Major finding:  The mortality rate among 99 COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis was 34%. However, 81% of the patients underwent adjunct surgery, which significantly improved outcomes (P < 0.001).

Study details: The data come from 30 case series and case reports totaling 99 patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM). Glucocorticoids, a known risk factor for CAM, were used in 85% of the patients, and the average time from COVID-19 diagnosis to CAM diagnosis was 15 days.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Pal R et al. Mycoses. 2021 Jun 16. doi: 10.1111/myc.13338.

Key clinical point: Insertion of a hydrogel spacer significantly reduced rectal doses in prostate cancer patients undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy, and no severe adverse events related to the spacer procedure were observed.

Major finding: Rectal doses after spacer insertion were significantly lower than before spacer insertion. The primary endpoint of grade 2 acute gastrointestinal toxicity within 3 months occurred in 7 patients (18%), and a secondary endpoint of grade 2 acute genitourinary toxicity occurred in 17 patients. (44%).

Study details: The data come from a prospective, single-center, phase II safety and efficacy study including 40 men aged 20-80 years with prostate cancer. Patients received a hydrogel spacer inserted into the perirectal space between the prostate and rectum before undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

Disclosures: The study was funded by MEXT KAKENHI. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Ogita M et al. Radiat Oncol. 2021 Jun 12. doi: 10.1186/s13014-021-01834-1.

Key clinical point: Insertion of a hydrogel spacer significantly reduced rectal doses in prostate cancer patients undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy, and no severe adverse events related to the spacer procedure were observed.

Major finding: Rectal doses after spacer insertion were significantly lower than before spacer insertion. The primary endpoint of grade 2 acute gastrointestinal toxicity within 3 months occurred in 7 patients (18%), and a secondary endpoint of grade 2 acute genitourinary toxicity occurred in 17 patients. (44%).

Study details: The data come from a prospective, single-center, phase II safety and efficacy study including 40 men aged 20-80 years with prostate cancer. Patients received a hydrogel spacer inserted into the perirectal space between the prostate and rectum before undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

Disclosures: The study was funded by MEXT KAKENHI. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Ogita M et al. Radiat Oncol. 2021 Jun 12. doi: 10.1186/s13014-021-01834-1.

Key clinical point: Insertion of a hydrogel spacer significantly reduced rectal doses in prostate cancer patients undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy, and no severe adverse events related to the spacer procedure were observed.

Major finding: Rectal doses after spacer insertion were significantly lower than before spacer insertion. The primary endpoint of grade 2 acute gastrointestinal toxicity within 3 months occurred in 7 patients (18%), and a secondary endpoint of grade 2 acute genitourinary toxicity occurred in 17 patients. (44%).

Study details: The data come from a prospective, single-center, phase II safety and efficacy study including 40 men aged 20-80 years with prostate cancer. Patients received a hydrogel spacer inserted into the perirectal space between the prostate and rectum before undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

Disclosures: The study was funded by MEXT KAKENHI. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Ogita M et al. Radiat Oncol. 2021 Jun 12. doi: 10.1186/s13014-021-01834-1.

Key clinical point: Median lobe hyperplasia did not interfere with low-dose-rate brachytherapy, but seed migration and degree of cold spots was higher in patients with severe MLH.

Major finding: Migration of iodine-125 seeds occurred in 10 (31.5%) of 32 prostate cancer patients with MLH and 61 (31.6%) of 193 prostate cancer patients without MLH.

Study details: The data come from an analysis of 32 prostate cancer patients with median lobe hyperplasia (MLH) and 193 without MLH; all patients were treated with loose iodine-125 seeds. MLH patients were classified as mild (< 10 mm) or severe (≥ 10 mm) based on the distance between the posterior transitional zone and the prostatic tissue protruding into the bladder.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Muraki K et al. J Contemp Brachytherapy. 2021 Jun 13. doi: 10.5114/jcb.2021.105944.

Key clinical point: Median lobe hyperplasia did not interfere with low-dose-rate brachytherapy, but seed migration and degree of cold spots was higher in patients with severe MLH.

Major finding: Migration of iodine-125 seeds occurred in 10 (31.5%) of 32 prostate cancer patients with MLH and 61 (31.6%) of 193 prostate cancer patients without MLH.

Study details: The data come from an analysis of 32 prostate cancer patients with median lobe hyperplasia (MLH) and 193 without MLH; all patients were treated with loose iodine-125 seeds. MLH patients were classified as mild (< 10 mm) or severe (≥ 10 mm) based on the distance between the posterior transitional zone and the prostatic tissue protruding into the bladder.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Muraki K et al. J Contemp Brachytherapy. 2021 Jun 13. doi: 10.5114/jcb.2021.105944.

Key clinical point: Median lobe hyperplasia did not interfere with low-dose-rate brachytherapy, but seed migration and degree of cold spots was higher in patients with severe MLH.

Major finding: Migration of iodine-125 seeds occurred in 10 (31.5%) of 32 prostate cancer patients with MLH and 61 (31.6%) of 193 prostate cancer patients without MLH.

Study details: The data come from an analysis of 32 prostate cancer patients with median lobe hyperplasia (MLH) and 193 without MLH; all patients were treated with loose iodine-125 seeds. MLH patients were classified as mild (< 10 mm) or severe (≥ 10 mm) based on the distance between the posterior transitional zone and the prostatic tissue protruding into the bladder.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Muraki K et al. J Contemp Brachytherapy. 2021 Jun 13. doi: 10.5114/jcb.2021.105944.

Key clinical point: Approximately half of the studies (16) in a systematic review showed no association between androgen deprivation therapy and reduced cognitive function in prostate cancer patients; however, 11 of the 31 studies showed a negative effect on cognitive functioning.

Major finding: A total of 18 studies used a prospective design to assess the impact of androgen deprivation therapy on cognitive function, totaling 968 individuals. Of these, 9 studies showed no significant effect of ADT on cognitive function.

Study details: The data come from a systematic review of 31 studies published up to February 2020.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Andela CD et al. Int J Urol. 2021 Jun 14.  doi: 10.1111/iju.14596. 

Key clinical point: Approximately half of the studies (16) in a systematic review showed no association between androgen deprivation therapy and reduced cognitive function in prostate cancer patients; however, 11 of the 31 studies showed a negative effect on cognitive functioning.

Major finding: A total of 18 studies used a prospective design to assess the impact of androgen deprivation therapy on cognitive function, totaling 968 individuals. Of these, 9 studies showed no significant effect of ADT on cognitive function.

Study details: The data come from a systematic review of 31 studies published up to February 2020.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Andela CD et al. Int J Urol. 2021 Jun 14.  doi: 10.1111/iju.14596. 

Key clinical point: Approximately half of the studies (16) in a systematic review showed no association between androgen deprivation therapy and reduced cognitive function in prostate cancer patients; however, 11 of the 31 studies showed a negative effect on cognitive functioning.

Major finding: A total of 18 studies used a prospective design to assess the impact of androgen deprivation therapy on cognitive function, totaling 968 individuals. Of these, 9 studies showed no significant effect of ADT on cognitive function.

Study details: The data come from a systematic review of 31 studies published up to February 2020.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Andela CD et al. Int J Urol. 2021 Jun 14.  doi: 10.1111/iju.14596. 

Key clinical point: Transgluteal CT-guided biopsy identified prostate cancer lesions in men without rectal access with no major complications reported.

Major finding: A total of 4 lesions were targeted using anatomic landmarks and 5 were targeted using contrast enhancement. All biopsies using transgluteal CT were technically successful and identified as prostate cancer. A total of 3 biopsies showed Gleason 6 cancer, and 6 biopsies showed clinically significant prostate cancers with Gleason 7 or above; a total of 7 patients underwent definitive treatment with surgery or radiation.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 9 prostate cancer patients without rectal access who underwent transgluteal CT-guided biopsy between May 2016 and February 2021. The two targeting techniques were localizing with anatomic landmarks or localizing with contrast enhancement.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Patel N et al. Clin Imaging. 2021 Jun 9. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.06.004.

Key clinical point: Transgluteal CT-guided biopsy identified prostate cancer lesions in men without rectal access with no major complications reported.

Major finding: A total of 4 lesions were targeted using anatomic landmarks and 5 were targeted using contrast enhancement. All biopsies using transgluteal CT were technically successful and identified as prostate cancer. A total of 3 biopsies showed Gleason 6 cancer, and 6 biopsies showed clinically significant prostate cancers with Gleason 7 or above; a total of 7 patients underwent definitive treatment with surgery or radiation.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 9 prostate cancer patients without rectal access who underwent transgluteal CT-guided biopsy between May 2016 and February 2021. The two targeting techniques were localizing with anatomic landmarks or localizing with contrast enhancement.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Patel N et al. Clin Imaging. 2021 Jun 9. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.06.004.

Key clinical point: Transgluteal CT-guided biopsy identified prostate cancer lesions in men without rectal access with no major complications reported.

Major finding: A total of 4 lesions were targeted using anatomic landmarks and 5 were targeted using contrast enhancement. All biopsies using transgluteal CT were technically successful and identified as prostate cancer. A total of 3 biopsies showed Gleason 6 cancer, and 6 biopsies showed clinically significant prostate cancers with Gleason 7 or above; a total of 7 patients underwent definitive treatment with surgery or radiation.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 9 prostate cancer patients without rectal access who underwent transgluteal CT-guided biopsy between May 2016 and February 2021. The two targeting techniques were localizing with anatomic landmarks or localizing with contrast enhancement.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Patel N et al. Clin Imaging. 2021 Jun 9. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.06.004.

Key clinical point: No significant differences in prostate specific antigen PSA regression, PSA failure rate, and toxicity were noted between the different fraction schedules for patients treated with high-dose-rate mono-brachytherapy.

Major finding: Overall, the biochemical failure rate was 9.6%; biochemical failure rates for the 4F, 3F, and 2F groups 10.5%, 4.7%, and 14.6%, respectively, and 3.5% of patients demonstrated several grade 3-4 toxicity.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 229 adults with prostate cancer treated consecutively at a single center between 2004 and 2012. Patients were treated with high-dose-rate mono-brachytherapy alone, using three different fractionation schedules of 92-95 Gy.

Group 4F had a single implant of 9.5 Gy in four fractions over 2 days. Group 3F had three separate implants of 11 Gy over 4 weeks. Group had two implants of 14 Gy over 2 weeks.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Örebro County Council. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Johansson B et al. J Contemp Brachytherapy. 2021 May 5. doi: 10.5114/jcb.2021.105846. 

Key clinical point: No significant differences in prostate specific antigen PSA regression, PSA failure rate, and toxicity were noted between the different fraction schedules for patients treated with high-dose-rate mono-brachytherapy.

Major finding: Overall, the biochemical failure rate was 9.6%; biochemical failure rates for the 4F, 3F, and 2F groups 10.5%, 4.7%, and 14.6%, respectively, and 3.5% of patients demonstrated several grade 3-4 toxicity.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 229 adults with prostate cancer treated consecutively at a single center between 2004 and 2012. Patients were treated with high-dose-rate mono-brachytherapy alone, using three different fractionation schedules of 92-95 Gy.

Group 4F had a single implant of 9.5 Gy in four fractions over 2 days. Group 3F had three separate implants of 11 Gy over 4 weeks. Group had two implants of 14 Gy over 2 weeks.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Örebro County Council. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Johansson B et al. J Contemp Brachytherapy. 2021 May 5. doi: 10.5114/jcb.2021.105846. 

Key clinical point: No significant differences in prostate specific antigen PSA regression, PSA failure rate, and toxicity were noted between the different fraction schedules for patients treated with high-dose-rate mono-brachytherapy.

Major finding: Overall, the biochemical failure rate was 9.6%; biochemical failure rates for the 4F, 3F, and 2F groups 10.5%, 4.7%, and 14.6%, respectively, and 3.5% of patients demonstrated several grade 3-4 toxicity.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study of 229 adults with prostate cancer treated consecutively at a single center between 2004 and 2012. Patients were treated with high-dose-rate mono-brachytherapy alone, using three different fractionation schedules of 92-95 Gy.

Group 4F had a single implant of 9.5 Gy in four fractions over 2 days. Group 3F had three separate implants of 11 Gy over 4 weeks. Group had two implants of 14 Gy over 2 weeks.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Örebro County Council. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Johansson B et al. J Contemp Brachytherapy. 2021 May 5. doi: 10.5114/jcb.2021.105846.